Method

Valentine Croutes:

1 loaf artisan bread

olive oil

Place diced onion, leek and garlic in a bit of olive oil and cook until fragrant. Add stock. Kids can add as much or as little as they wish of the above ingredients. Cook for about 20-30 minutes until all the vegetables are cooked through. Wait until just before serving to add cooked pasta.

Top the served soup with a Valentine Croute and a bit of grated cheese.

Valentine Croutes: Slice the bread about 1/4" thin. With a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out of the center of each piece of bread a heart-shaped croute. Brush both sides with olive oil and grill on grill pan or saute pan until golden on both sides.